Bobbin conveyor



Jan. 4, 1966 J J. CULLEN ETAL BOBBIN CONVEYOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 7, 1963 [IL-'65 P32 FIG.

INVENTORS J FIG. 9

rllll ATTORNEY Jan. 4, 1966 I J. J. CULLEN ETAL BOBBIN CONVEYOR Filed March '7, 1965 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IBOa IBOb I80 I64 I66 I67 FIG. 3

INVENTORS JAMES J. CULLEN FRANCIS A. DEPUY ROBERT E. MQRTON KURT W. NIEDERER ATTORNEY Jan. 4, 1966 Filed March 7, 1963 .1. J. CULLEN ETAL BOBBIN CONVEYOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 l60d I521: ,l52c I50 F|G INVENTORS 8 JAMES J. CULLEN FRANCIS A; DEPUY ROBERT E. MORTON KURT W. NIEDERER I/IA/ ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,226,793 BOBBIN CONVEYOR James J. Cullen, Francis A. Depuy, Robert E. Morton, and Kurt W. Niederer, Warwick, R.I., assignors to Leesona Corporation, Warwick, R.I., a corporation of Massachusetts Filed Mar. 7, 1963, Ser. No. 263,648 Claims. (Cl. 28-19) The present invention relates to a bobbin conveyor and relates, more particularly, to a conveyor for transporting a spent bobbin discharged from the shuttle of a loom to a bobbin stripper where residual yarn remaining on the spent bobbin is removed preliminary to filling said bobbin again with weft or filling yarn.

A main object of the present invention is to provide a bobbin conveyor which will operate automatically to convey a spent bobbin from a bobbin receiving platform to a stripper where residual yarn remaining on the spent bobbin may be removed therefrom.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bobbin conveyor for transporting spentbobbins in a predetermined time sequence from a bobbin receiving platform to a bobbin stripper.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a storage means for a plurality of spent bobbins for delivery one by one to an associated bobbin stripper.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a bobbin conveyor capable of delivering a spent bobbin to a bobbin stripper wherein said spent bobbin is calipered or measured to determinethe amount or quantity of residual yarn remaining on the bobbin.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a bobbin conveyorcapable of detecting a spent bobbin having an undesirably large quantity of residual yarn thereon and directing said bobbin away from an associated bobbin stripper.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a bobbin conveyor which is readily adapted to be integrated with an existing loom.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bobbin conveyor which is simple in construction, yet durable and reliable in use.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter. The invention accordingly comprises the apparatus possessing the construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which are exemplified in the following detailed disclosure and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the bobbin conveyor of the present invention applied to the side of a loom and positioned in its operative relationship with a bobbin stripper;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the bobbin conveyor of FIG. 1, somewhat enlarged, and showing details of the bobbin stripper, the bobbin receiver being illustrated in its receiving position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the bobbin receiver in an alternative position;

FIG. 4 is a detailed side view of the lower portion of the conveyor standard;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are views similar to FIG. 4 but showing certain of the parts in alternative positions;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing details of the upper portion of the conveyor standard and bobbin receiving means, the bobbin being illustrated in its upward travel; j j i I 2,638,937 to W. V. Goodhue et al.

3,226,793 Patented Jan. 4, 1966 FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 but showing the bobbin in its receiving position during downward travel; and

FIG. 9 is a view taken generally along lines IX-IX of FIG. 1.

Briefly, the present invention provides a bobbin conveyor, a receptacle or storage unit for containing a plurality of spent bobbins, and means associated with the conveyor for removing the spent bobbins, one by one, from the storage unit for delivery to an associated stripper. Advantageously, the present invention includes caliper means for gauging the amount of residual yarn remaining on each bobbin, so that, in the event an unduly large amount of yarn remains, the bobbin can be directed away from the stripper. In this fashion the stripper is not unduly overloaded. A further advantage of the instant invention resides in the fact that the rate of delivery of spent bobbins to the bobbin stripper can be regulated by changing sprockets.

In looms in general use at the present time the filling or weft yarn is supplied from bobbins carried by throw shuttles and, upon substantial exhaustion of the yarn of each bobbin, a filling changing mechanism operates automatically to eject the spent bobbin and substitute a full bobbin so that the loom continues to weave without inter ruption of the filling being supplied by reserve bobbins transferred from a suitable battery or magazine. The transfer mechanism of the loom operates to force a new bobbin down into the shuttle as the latter is boxed at the filling end of the lay, thereby thrusting out the spent bobbin which is ejected down through an opening in the bottom of the shuttle, thence to be subsequently denuded of residual yarn thereon. In automatic looms, feeler motions are provided for testing the amount of yarn on the bobbin at every second pick and, when the service winding thereon is substantially exhausted, the feeler engages with the bobbin to initiate the operation of the filling-changing or transfer mechanism to supply a fresh bobbin to the shuttle as it is boxed at the other end of the lay. To insure that mispicks will not occur by the yarn running out before a fresh bobbin is transferredto the shuttle, the transfer is usually made while some small residue of yarn remains on the spent bobbin.

It is obvious that when the spent bobbins are ejected from the shuttle carrying a residue of yarn thereon they cannot be used for rewinding immediately as the yarn must be continuous from beginning to end of the winding in order to avoid mispicks. It is therefore necessary to provide some means, preferably automatic, for stripping this residual yarn from the bobbin. Apparatus for achieving this general objective is disclosed in Us. Patent In the instance of the bobbin stripper disclosed in this patent the bobbin to be denuded is delivered directly from the shuttle to the stripper. Such an arrangement, while quite suitable for single shuttle looms, presents certain problems when employed inconnection with multiple shuttle or box looms. For example, in a multiple shuttle loom it may occur that the bobbins housed in several of the shuttles may approach exhaustion at approximately the same time. Thus, there could occur several transfers within a relatively short space of time. If these several bobbins were deposited directly into the stripper the condition would be presented where the stripper would become overloaded, since its capacity is one bobbin at a time. It therefore becomes readily apparent that the present invention has particular application to looms of the multiple shuttle type incorporating an automatic bobbin stripper although it will be obvious that the instant invention could be employed with equal advantage in connection .with single shuttle type looms.- In either instance the invention serves to convey a bobbin to an associated automatic bobbin stripper where the bobbin is denuded preparatory to having a fresh supply of yarn wound thereon.

The present invention is shown and described in connection with a bobbin stripper of the type disclosed in the foregoing patent wherein a bobbin is deposited through an opening in the top wall of the stripper, butt-end first, the bobbin descending to a mechanism of conventional nature for denudation of the residual yarn. It will be obvious, however, to those skilled in the art that the invention may be readily adapted to other types of textile apparatus having as an element thereof the conveyance of bobbins.

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawing, the present invention is shown as operatively associated with a loom L incorporating an automatic bobbin stripper of the type disclosed, for example, in the afore-cited United States Patent 2,638,937. Only a diagrammatic and general showing of these elements has been made in view of their conventional nature. In the structure illustrated a vertical end wall 12 of the loom L, supported from the floor, has a pair of spaced brackets 14 and 16 projecting outwardly, these brackets being suitably affixed to the wall 12 by bolts 18 and 19 respectively. Bobbin stripper 10, constituted as a compartmented casing, is connected at one of its sides to the outer extremes of brackets 14 and 16 for support therefrom. Since, as has already been pointed out, the bobbin stripper 10 is of the tye fully disclosed in U.S. Patent 2,638,937, details thereof are not deemed necessary herein. However, it will serve to point out that the bobbin stripper 10 includes a top wall 20 (FIGS. 2 and 3), the front portion of which is provided with an opening at 22. A rotary brush 24 is positioned on a shaft 26 and arranged so that its radially projecting bristles span said opening and terminate underlying the opening. Also, the forward wall 28 of bobbin stripper 10 has an aperture therein at 30. A tapered drum 31, supported for rotation on shaft 32 is substantially enclosed within bobbin stripper 10 in alignment with aperture 30 and, in fact, projects slightly outward beyond the plane of forward wall 28. In the fashion fully disclosed in the previously cited United States Patent a bobbin having a residue of yarn thereon will, upon descending through opening 22, have the end of the residual yarn swept up by brush 24 and delivered to drum 31 whereby the yarn is caused to engage with the drum for eventual withdrawal of this yarn off the bobbin.

The residual yarn which is withdrawn from the bobbin will tend to slide down the tapered surface of drum 31 as accumulations of waste yarn build up on the drum. In order that this yarn will not become deposited on the floor a compartment 34 is provided below drum 31. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 this compartment projects outwardly beyond the plane of forward wall 28 for some distance, the entire top of the compartment being open for the reception of the waste yarn delivered on drum 31. As will be seen subsequently, compartment 34 is advantageously employed in connection with the present invention for the deposition of bobbins which are rejected from entry into the bobbin stripper.

Turning again to FIG. 1 a chute is provided for directing the course of spent bobbins which have been ejected from the loom shuttle. It will be appreciated that this chute will be positioned below and in alignment with the shuttle when the shuttle is boxed at the filling or transferring end of the loom. Chute 40 may be constructed of sheet metal With a funnel-like portion 42, the uppermost region of which is open for the reception of a bobbin delivered out of the shuttle. Advantageously, one side wall of portion 42 is bevelled or slanted as at 44, it being appreciated that the bobbin during its free-fall will enter portion 42 with its butt end, i.e., its end of larger diameter, in the region of slanted side 44. Upon contact with the incline of side 44 the butt end of the bobbin Will be guided downwardly, the bobbin thus being oriented in a generally vertical position within its apical or tip end pointing upwardly. In this fashion the bobbin is positioned for passage through chute 40.

It will be observed from FIG. 1 that portion 42 is suitably joined with a passageway 46 of chute 40. Portion 42 opens into passageway 46, with passageway, in turn, being affixed to bracket 14. The lower open end of passageway 46 terminates projecting toward a rather large, generally rectangular, and slightly elbowed section 56. The upper rear region of section 50 is constructed as a flat plate 52 providing a wall extending upwardly for a slight distance beyond the vertical plane of lowermost end of passageway 46. For the purpose of securing section 50 in position the side of plate 52 adjacent compartment 34 is folded at a right angle to said plate to form a wing 54 for attachment, as by a weld, to a wall of the compartment.

In order that the bobbin B may be properly directed during its downward flight the lower portion of plate 52 is bent somewhat forwardly, thereby providing an inclined surface 56 against which the bobbin strikes during its descent. By virtue of the fact that surface 56 is inclined toward the front wall 58 of section 50 the bobbin is deflected upon contact with said surface 56. As a further guide to the travel of bobbin B it will be observed in FIG. 1 that the floor 60 of section 50 is inclined downwardly from side wall 62 toward the elbowed portion 64. Thus, bobbin B is directed onto the inclined floor 60 by the disposition of surface 56. During this action the bobbin which, it will be recalled, was aligned to descend butt-first is turned from a vertical path of movement to generally a horizontal path with the butt end of the bobbin leading. The surface 56 of section 50 adjacent to side wall 62 joints with floor 60 and is angled outwardly from a vertical plane to afford an enlarged cavity within section 50 for clearance purposes. Hence, as bobbin B is turned by its contact with floor 60 adequate clearance is afforded within the cavity of section 50 to avoid cramping or jamming of the bobbin therein.

Elbowed portion 64 opens into a receptacle 66, one end of which is connected to section 50 as by screw 67. Receptacle 66 is constituted as a generally three-sided tray, the top and two ends of which are open. The bottom side, or platform 68, of receptacle 66 is inclined downwardly from its point of attachment at section 50 and provided with a plurality of spaced upturned tabs, referenced as 69a and 6%, said tabs being at the end of the platform remote from the point of attachment with section 50. Moreover, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 9 tab 69a is situated closer to side wall 70 of the receptacle and, additionally, is disposed slightly nearer to section 59 than is tab 6%. Each of the tabs 69a and 6% acts as a stop to check further movement of bobbin B" downward of platform 68 away from section 50. However, desirably, the platform 68 is supported in an inclined position so that the platform at its point of contact with side wall 70 is slightly higher than at its point of communication with side wall 72. In accordance with the arrangement of receptacle 66 the orifice or opening of portion 64 is so aligned that it directs each bobbin passing therethrough to the high side of platform 68, i.e., the side nearer side wall 70. Several bobbins are thus permitted to lay on the platform in essentially side-by-side relationship, the tabs 69a and 69b affording sufficient spacing so that the enlarged butt ends of the bobbins do not contact one another. It will be obvious that as the lowermost bobbin on the platform, that is the bobbin adjacent side wall 72, is removed the remaining bobbins will migrate along the inclined surface of platform 68 to a lower position; the bobbins B which are checked against tabs 69a and 69b shifting across the platform toward side wall 72 and sliding longitudinally of the platform until engaged by a further tab or other stop means, to be subsequently described.

Viewing FIG. 1 once again it will be seen that a base 80 is disposed on the floor underlying and extending beyond the outer end of receptacle 66. A web 82 secured to base 80 by bolts 83 projects upwardly and terminates adjoining bobbin stripper 10. The upper side of web 82 proximate to bobbinstripper is bent at a right angle to the plate of the web so as to form an elongated tab 84. A pair of screws 85 are engaged through suitable holes in tab 84 and the side of bobbin stripper 10, thereby securing the web in location with the stripper.

An upright, generally channel-shaped standard 90 is affixed to web 82 by suitable means not here illustrated. The outer longitudinal margins of standard 90 are folded inwardly to provide opposing tracks or ways 92 and 93 on which a suitably grooved slider 94 is movable. Standard 90 supports, at its uppermost end and within the confines of its channel, a sprocket 96 rotatably carried on a stub shaft 97. A further sprocket 98 is rotatably supported on a stub shaft 99, see FIGS. 4 and 5, at the lowermost end of standard '90. An endless chain 100 passes around the two sprockets 96 and 98 thereby extending substantially the full longitudinal distance of standard 90. Chain 100 has a pin 102 (FIG. 2) extending forwardly and engaging in a transverse groove 104 milled across the backsurface of slider 94. Thus, it will be evident that rotation of sprockets 96 and 98 will impart motion to chain 100. This motion will, in turn, be effective to impel slider 94 which is connected to the chain by pin 102 vertically along ways 92 and 93.

Means for powering movement of chain 100 may be provided by any conventional means as, for example, a power take-off shaft from the associated loom, such shaft not being herein illustrated, but which would be employed through conventional means to rotate shaft 106 journalled in suitable bearings in base 80. The forward end of shaft 106 is provided with a sprocket 108 fast thereon. A similar sprocket 110 is secured tightly on the inner or rear end of stub shaft 99. A driving chain 112 passes about the sprockets 108 and 110, see FIG. .1, thereby transmitting rotation from shaft 106 through to sprocket 98 whereby chain 100 is driven.

Turning once again to slider 94 it willbe seen best from FIGS. 1, 7and 8 that a step 115 extends forwardly from the main body of the slider. An angular arm 116 is supported on a. stud 117 pierced into step 115, arm 116 being pivotally movable thereabout. A spring 118 connected at one of its ends to the main body of slider 94 and attached at its opposite end to arm 116 acts. to bias the arm clockwise'(FIGS. 2 and 3) against slider 94. A horseshoe-shaped permanent magnet 120 is held snugly in a clip 121, FIG. 7, at the outer end of arm 116 remote from its pivot point. Additionally, and on this same remote end of arm 116 there is affixed an upstanding ear 122, the topmost portion of which carries a cam follower or roller 124 aligned with way 92 for purposes to be later explained. .A similar roller 126 is situated generally on the opposite side of standard 90 from that where roller 124 is located, an angular leg128 secured to slider94providing the support means for roller 126.

. Reverting now to standard 90, a pair of plates 130 and 132 are rotatably mounted at one side of the lower end of the standard (see FIG. 1) in the manner and for the purposes next to be explained. Viewing FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 it will be seen that plate 130 is loosely supported dependingly on stud 134 for rockable movement thereabout. An car 135 is folded outwardly from the top of plate 130. This ear has one end of a biasing spring 136 attached therein. The opposite end of spring 136 is pierced through a further ear 137, the spring being stressed between the two ears 135 and 137 to bias' plate 130 counterclockwise as viewed in FIGS. 4 through 6. Ear

passes through a pair of tabs 158 bent 137 also serves as a stop to limit the clockwise movement of plate 130. The lowermost edge of plate 130 has a step or notch formed therein as at 138 for reasons yet to be explained. Further, a projection 140 is bent outwardly of the plane of plate 130. Projection 140 acts as a further abutment in a manner similar to that described in connection with tabs 69a and 69b. As will be seen in FIG. 1 projection 140 is aligned to check movement of the bobbin laying on platform 68 and against side Wall 72 of receptacle 66. As will be related subsequently projection 140 is rocked away from the bobbin which it retains at an appropriate moment to permit the bobbin to engage with magnet 120. A stop 141 upwardly of notch 138 serves to limit counterclockwise movement of plate 130 under the biasing of spring 136.

Plate 130 is, additionally, provided with a cam profile along its elongated front side, i.e., the side toward the viewer in FIG. 1. Thus, from a substantially fiator vertical edge at 142a the profile rises gradually along edge 1421) to a crown at 1420, whereupon the edge gradually declines along edge 142d and falls sharply at edge 142e. The purpose of this profiled edge will be further explained hereafter.

A further plate 132 has already been said to be located at the lower end of standard 90. Plate 132 is rockable about a pin 143, said pin passing through the plate and embedded in the side of standard 90. A spring 144 is attached at one of its ends to the lower edge of standard 90 and joined at its other end to an appendage 145 from plate 132. Thus, spring 144 urges plate 132 clockwise as viewed in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. A small hook-like finger 146 extends outwardly to engage the rear of standard 90 thereby restricting the amount of clockwise rocking movement of plate 132.

As will be observed best from FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 plate 132 is mounted in juxtaposed relationship to the lower section of plate 130. So positioned, notch 138 is engaged and locked behind finger 146. In this position an anvillike step 148 extends outwardly or forwardly from be neath edge 1422 of plate 130 for some distance, see FIG.- 4. As will be related later in more detail step 148 affords a camming surface for effecting counter-clockwise rockable movement of plate 132.

With further reference to FIG. 1 in particular, a plate 150 is attached to the same side of standard 90 as plates 130 and 132. However, plate 150 is spaced upwardly of these two last mentioned plates, plate 150 occupying generally the upper half of the one side of standard 90. Moreover, as in the case of plates 130 and 132, the frontal edge of plate 150 or edge nearest the viewer in FIG. 1 is shaped into a suitable cam surface. Thus, as best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, this forward egde of plate 150 has a pair of oppositely disposed incline surfaces 152a and 15% which terminate in an elongated vertical run or dwell 152c- The purposes of plate 150 will be related hereafter in connection with the over-all operation of the invention.

. A bracket 154, FIGS. 2 and 3, is fastened to standard 90 at a point behind plate 150. This bracket extends horizontally outward terminating upwardly of brush 24 and providing a supporting means for several elements. Thus, a receiver 156 is pivotally supported on a pintle 157 which horizontally from bracket 154 and through a similar pair of tabs 159 projecting from wall 160a of the receiver. Receiver 156 projects outwardly from standard 90, the inner end of the receiver being in general vertical alignment with projection 140 and the outer end terminating upwardly of bobbin stripper 10. The floor 16012 of the receiver is inclined upwardly as it extends outwardly from standard 90. A further wall 1600 is provided to enclose the side of the receiver opposite of wall 160a and a short end wall 160d extends across the edge of the receiver floor adjacent standard 90. The outer end of receiver 156 7 remote from wall 160d is open save for the caliper means next to be described.

A fixed fiat spring 162 is riveted to the rear side of wall 160a. This spring lays flat against the wall and projects outwardly therebeyond in a position above bobbin stripper 10. The outer end of spring 162 is inturned at 164 to project partially across the open outer end of receiver 156. A feeler finger 166 is fastened on spring 162 between the outer end of wall 160a and the inturned end 164. In like manner as end 164, this feeler finger 166 extends partly across the open end of receiver 156. A cooperating finger 167 is folded inwardly from wall 1600 protruding toward its companion finger 166. The distance between end wall 160d and fingers 166, 167 is such that when the apex of a bobbin is lying against the wall 160d the butt of the bobbin will extend slightly beyond said fingers. The degree of separation between the two fingers 166 and 167 governs the diameter of bobbins which can pass thereby. Hence, it will be appreciated that if the diameter of a bobbin is greater than the space between the two fingers, as the case may be when undesirably large amounts of yarn remain on bobbins delivered into receiver 156, the bobbin will be retained in the receiver rather than falling through the fingers. Advantageously, the present invention provides means for adjusting the distance between the fingers 166 and 167, and, hence, the diameters of bobbins which may be admitted therepast. To this end a set screw 168 is threaded through a tapped hole in spring 162 so that one of its ends bears on the rear of wall 160a. Thus, by extending set screw 168 against wall 160a spring 162 is moved away from said wall thereby increasing the distance between fingers 166 and 167.

Turning again to a consideration of bracket 154 a pair of spaced ears 169 are bent rearwardly from the top and bottom margins thereof adjacent a rear corner of standard 90. A lever bar 170 is pivotally supported in suitable holes pierced through ears 169. Bar 170 is provided with a laterally extending leg 172 bearing against the rear of wall 160a. An oppositely directed portion of the bar passes rearwardly of standard 90 projecting slightly therebeyond and being downturned in a forwardly inclined arm 174. The upper end of arm 174 has a somewhat accentuated curve or loop at 175 to afford a clearance passage for roller 126 in a manner to be further related hereafter.

Viewing FIGS. 2 and 3 it will be seen that a spring 176 is attached at one end to a projecting appendage at the rear of wall 160a. The distal end of this spring is connected to a small pin 177 extending rearwardly from that portion of lever bar 170 situated between spaced ears 169. By virtue of this spring connection, receiver 156 and lever bar 170 are biased toward each other with leg 172 bearing on the rear of wall 160a. Further, it will be appreciated that bar 170 can be pivoted clockwise (FIGS. 2 and 3) away from receiver 156 as when pressure is exerted on the under side of arm 174 when roller 126 is travelling in its upward stroke.

Receiver 156 has been described as terminating upwardly of bobbin stripper 10. Adjoining the open end of receiver 156 is a trough 180, FIGS. 2 and 3, constituted as a bottom side 180a and upstanding sides 180k and 1800, the bottom side or floor 180a of which is inclined downwardly from a point lying close to and in the same plane as the outer end of floor 16011 of receiver 156 to a terminal position slightly upwardly of and aligned with opening 22. Bracket 154 provides a means for positioning trough 180 in place. As is best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 the inturned end 164 of spring 162 extends into the confines of trough 180 and, through its contact with the opposing side walls 18012 and 1800 of trough 180, generally limits the arc of movement of receiver 156. Notwithstanding the limiting effect of end 164 however, it will be seen from FIG. 3 that because of the presence of spring 162 receiver 156 can be biased somewhat further counterclockwise after contact of the end 164 with the forward wall of trough 18%. Such biasing is effected through bar 170 and results in the gap set between feelcr fingers 166 and 167 being opened or increased. Upon release of end 164 from the forward wall 18012 of trough 180 spring 162 returns feeler finger 166 to its original position as established with respect to feeler finger 167 by set screw 168.

In operation, as has been pointed out earlier, the bobbins ejected from the shuttle of loom L enter funnel-like portion 42 as they gravitate downwardly, the butt of each bobbin striking slanted side 44 whereby the butt of the bobbin points downwardly, the bobbin B", which is shown in phantom within section 50, FIG. 1, generally illustrating such position. Within section 50 each bobbin is directed in substantially a horizontal path, each bobbin coming to rest in receptacle 66, the bobbins referenced as B" being illustrated in such rest position. As will be observed from the drawing each bobbin is provided with a series of wire rings R surrounding the bobbin butt. Such rings are a conventional form for holding bobbins in the jaws of a loom shuttle. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 9 receptacle 66 has a rather broad surface so that several bobbins may be stored thereon together.

Preparatory to conveying a bobbin from receptacle 66 to bobbin stripper 10 the bobbin is situated against projection 140. The compound angular inclination of platform 68 urges the bobbin to this position under the force of gravity. As seen in FIG. 1 there is sufficient clearance between the end of platform 68 and projection 140 to expose the major part of the bobbin butt including wire rings R.

It will be understood that slider 94 which carries magnet 120 is continuously reciprocated along a vertical path due to the fact that chain is constantly driven from sprocket 98, it having been stated that pin 102 links the chain and slider together. Thus, with sprocket 98 rotating in a clockwise direction (FIG. 1) slider 94 will be lowered to pick up the bobbin in the following manner.

As the slider approaches the lower area of standard 90 (below plate 150) roller 124 will be revolving along way 92 of standard 90 thereby positioning magnet in vertical alignment with the butt end of the bobbin B against projection 140. In order that the magnet can be carried beneath the bobbin without interfering with the position of said bobbin roller 124 is cammed outwardly, i.e., counterclockwise in FIGS. 2 and 3, by engagement with edge 1421; of plate 130. Continued downward movement of slider 94 causes roller 124 to ride along edge 142d. During the course of this camming action magnet 120 is swung outwardly or forwardly (FIG. 1) to clear the bobbin B". When the magnet is below the butt of the bobbin, roller 124 will have slid down edge 142d and follow rather rapidly down edge 142s of plate to strike against step 1480f plate 132. This action rocks plate 132 counterclockwise (FIG. 5) delatching finger 146 from notch 138 thereby allowing plate 130 to pivot clockwise under the force of magnet arm spring 118 until the roller 124 contacts way 92.

With plate 130 released from plate 132 slider 94 is moved upwardly, roller 124 now bearing on way 92 so as to position magnet 120 directly below the butt of the bob bin against projection 140. Upon release of roller 124 from plate 132, this plate rocks back under the influence of spring 144 until its finger 146 stops against standard 90. However, plate 130 continues to be held in its delatched position while roller 124 rides up its camming edges. During the upward travel of roller 124 along the edge of plate 130 magnet 120 is drawn into contact with wire rings R of the bobbinagainst projection whereupon the bobbin becomes attached to the magnet and is suspended therefrom to be carried upwardly therewith, the bobbin B being so illustrated in position in FIGS. 1, 7 and 8. After the bobbin B is secured to the magnet 120 roller 124 is carried upwardly of the plane of plate 130. At this time plate 130 is urged counterclockwise by spring 136, said spring urging the lower plate edge 130' into, contact with finger 146. In consequence thereof plate 132 is cammed downwardly to admit notch 138 inwardly thereof. Thereupon, plate 130 comes to rest with its stop 141 bearing on standard 90. Plate 132 is thereafter rocked clockwise by spring 144 to latch finger 146 in notch 138 and elfectively retain the two plates 130 and 132 in the latch position until once again delatched as just described.

It will serve at this time to indicate the manner of reversal of the direction of slider 94. As earlier stated a slot 104, FIG. 2, is provided at the rear of slider 94 for the insertion of pin 102. When the slider attains its upper or lower extreme of movement on chain 100 it halts momentarily. However, pin 102 continues to be driven bychain 100. As a result the pin is shifted laterally across the slot 104 and will thereupon carry the slider therewith. Assuming sprocket 98 to be driven clockwise (FIG. 1). the shifting movement of pin 102 would be from right to left adjacent sprocket 98 and oppositely thereto adjacent sprocket 96. i

As bobbin B is caniednlpwardly it is necessary that magnet 120be swung clear of receiver 156 so as not to displace the bobbin from the magnet. Accordingly, as roller 124 continues to advance along way 92 it engages with and rides up surfaces of plate 150. This cams magnet 120 forwardly (see FIG. 7) away from vertical alignment with the receiver. Continued upward movement of the slider causes roller 124 to ride along dwell 1520 of plate 150 until the magnet 120 and its bobbin B are past the receiver and free, of interference therewith. Roller 124 thereupon rides down surface 152a and reenters its course along way 92 to continue upwardly until pin 102 attains its uppermost limit and is shifted laterally across slot 104 to direct the slider 94 downwardly.

During the upward movement of slider 94 roller 126 is brought into contact with the under side of arm 174. At

this point it is not required that the arm be actuated. Therefore, arm. 174 is shifted slightly clockwise (FIGS. 2 and 3) by the force of roller 126. This advantageously permits roller 126 to pass through loop 175 in its upward movement, the arm 174 thereupon rocking back to its original position under the urging of spring 176.

In the course of downward movement of the slider 94 and its related magnet with bobbin B suspended therefrom the apical end of th bobbin is placed in receiver 156, see FIG. 8. The distance between cam surface 152a and receiver 156 is so related as to afiord insertion of the bobbin in the receiver prior to the time when roller 124 rides up surface 152a. However, once the bobbin B is firmly in receiver 156 roller 124 rides down surface 92 and this continued downward movement of slider 94, releases the bobbin from the magnet. After the bobbin is released the roller 124 rides up surface 152a to let the magnet clear the receiver 156. i

As bobbin B enters receiver 156 its apical end slides down angular floor 16% and against wall 160d. This causes the bobbin to fall toward feeler fingers 166, 167. As indicated earlier the butt of the bobbin will project slightly beyond the fingers 166 and167 thereby presenting to these fingers that portion of the bobbin barrel adjacent the bobbin butt. It follows that whether bobbin B will be able to pass between fingers 166 and 167 is controlled by the gap between said fingers. This gap is established by adjustment of sew screw 168 which acts to move finger 166, the adjustment customarily being made to permit bobbins having a normal amount of residualyarn thereon to pass between the fingers. A bobbin which does pass between the fingers is canted, by virtue of its own weight, over into trough 180 where it slides through brush 24 and toward bobbin stripper 10 eventually passing through brush 24 to be denuded in the manner described in U. S. Patent 2,638,937. However, if the bobbin is stopped from passage between the fingers 166, 167 as when it has an amount of residual yarn thereon producing a diameter 10 too large to pass .therebythe bobbin is discharged from receiver 156 in the following way.

During downward movement of slider 94 and in the area of plate 150, roller 126 contacts arm 174 causing bar 170 to pivot counterclockwise, see FIGS. 2 and 3. Leg 172 of the bar, in turn, pivots receiver 156 about pintle 157 causing spring end 164 to butt against receiver Wall 1801:. The stroke of lever bar 170 is sutficient, however, to pivot receiver 156 further against the resistance of spring 162. This results in spring 162 being spread away from wall a thereby enlarging the gap between fingers 166 and 167 as shown in FIG. 3. Thereupon, a bobbin previously restrained by fingers 166, 167 is released to pass through the enlarged gap. At this time, however, the receiver will be out of alignment with trough 180 and, rather, will be positioned over compartment 34 so that as the bobbin falls from the receiver 156 it is deposited in this storage compartment. Hence, the bobbin stripper is not overburdened with removing the excessive yarn from the bobbin. Upon release of arm 174 from roller 126 spring 176 biases receiver to its aligned position with trough 180, lever bar resuming its original position by means of this same bias. Spring 162 also returns to its position with set screw 168 bearing on wall 160a thereby reestablishing the preset gap between fingers 166 and 167.

In accordance with the present invention the timing of the delivery of the bobbins to receiver 156 and, hence, bobbin stripper 10 may be controlled advantageously by regulating the movement of chain 100. Thus, the rotation of sprocket 98 would be proportionately increased to accelerate delivery of the bobbins to receiver 156 and, conversely, sprocket 98 would be rotated at a decreasing speed to slow the delivery of bobbins from receptacle 66 upwardly.

Since certain changes may be made in the above apparatus without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a bobbin stripper of the type for removing residual yarn from spent bobbins and having an aperture for admitting spent bobbins therein, a receptacle for accommodating a spent bobbin in a position remote from said stripper, a conveyor for removing said bobbin from said receptacle and transporting it to a position proximate to said aperture, receiver means interposed between said conveyor and said aperture and adapted to remove said bobbin from said conveyor, and a discharge opening formed in said receiver means for releasing said bobbin therefrom and directing it to said aperture.

2. In combination with a bobbin stripper of the type for removing residual yarn from spent bobbins and having an aperture for admitting spent bobbins therein, a receptacle for accommodating a spent bobbin in a position remote from said bobbin stripper, a conveyor for removing said bobbin from said receptacle and transporting it to a position proximate to said aperture, receiver means interposed between said conveyor and said aperture and adapted to remove said bobbin from said conveyor and directing it to said bobbin stripper, a discharge opening formed in said receiver means for releasing said bobbin therefrom, and measuring means associated with said discharge opening for determining the amount of residual yarn on said bobbin.

3. In combination with a bobbin stripper of the type for removing residual yarn from spent bobbins, a receptacle for accommodating a spent bobbin, a conveyor for removing said bobbin from said receptacle, receiving means for receiving said bobbin from said conveyor and directing it to said bobbin stripper; measuring means associated with said receiving means for determining the amount of residual yarn on said bobbin, and means for 1 1 operating said receiving means to deliver said spent bobbin to a position remote from said bobbin stripper when a predetermined amount of residual yarn is detected on the bobbin by said measuring means.

4'. For use with a loom having a filling changing mechanism for supplying fresh bobbins to the shuttle thereof and ejecting spent bobbins therefrom and a bobbin stripper having an aperture for admitting spent bobbins therein whereby residual yarn may be stripped from the spent bobbins, the combination therewith comprising a receptacle for receiving spent bobbins ejected from said shuttle, conveyor means for moving said bobbins from said receptacle to a position proximate to said aperture, receiver means interposed between said conveyor and said aperture and adapted to remove the bobbin from the conveyor, and a discharge opening formed in the receiver means for releasing said bobbin therefrom and directing it to said aperture.

5. For use with a loom having a filling changing mechanism for supplying fresh bobbins to the shuttle thereof and ejecting spent bobbins therefrom and a bobbin stripper for removing yarn from the spent bobbins, the combination therewith comprising, means for intercepting a spent bobbin ejected from said shuttle, a receptacle for accommodating said spent bobbin, a passage for directing said spent bobbin from said intercepting means to said receptacle, a conveyor for removing said bobbin from said receptacle, receiver means for receiving said bobbin from said conveyor and directing it to said bobbin stripper, and measuring means for determining the amount of residual yarn on said bobbin.

References Cited by the Examiner DONALD w. PARKER, Primary Examiner.

RUSSELL c. MADER, Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A BOBBIN STIPPER OF THE TYPE FOR REMOVING RESIDUAL YARN FROM SPENT BOBBINS AND HAVING AN APERTURE FOR ADMITTING SPENT BOBBINS THEREIN, A RECEPTACLE FOR ACCOMMODATING A SPENT BOBBIN IN A POSITION REMOTE FROM SAID STRIPPER, A CONVEYOR FOR REMOVING SAID BOBBIN FROM SAID RECEPTACLE AND TRANSPORTING IT TO A POSITION PROXIMATE TO SAID APERTURE, RECEIVER MEANS INTERPOSED BETWEEN SAID CONVEYOR AND SAID APERTURE AND ADAPTED TO REMOVE SAID BOBBIN FROM SAID CONVEYOR, AND A DISCHARGE OPENING FORMED IN SAID RECEIVER MEANS FOR RELEASING SAID BOBBIN THEREFROM AND DIRECTING IT TO SAID APERTURE. 